The Bride of Christ

By R.K. Campbell

To those not familiar with the beautiful way in which the Bible uses symbolic language, the term "bride of Christ” may sound strange. After all, the man Christ Jesus never married. Yet He has a bride - in a way that surpasses all the limitations and failures of earthly relationships. This article, written by a former associate editor of this magazine, unfolds this truth. Get ready to have your heart warmed as you learn of the place of intimacy and love into which the Lord has brought His people, the true Church.

Under this symbol of the bride, the Church is presented as the object of Christ's closest and tenderest affections. As a true husband He loves and cares for his wife providing a perfect example for earthly relationships. The symbol of the bride also sets forth the most intimate relationship which exists between Christ and the Church - the tender intimacy of a husband and wife. It also presents the thought of closest future association with Christ in His coming dominion and glory, just as Eve was associated with Adam in his place of headship over all creation.

The Church of the living God, then, is the bride of Christ which He loved with an infinite love. He purchased her for Himself by shedding His own precious blood to redeem her from sin and destruction (Eph. 5:25). This He did for her in the past that He might have her forever with Himself as the object of His deep affections.

In the present He cares for her with an unfailing love - nourishing and cherishing her, sanctifying and cleansing her with the washing of water by the Word (Eph. 5:26). By the Spirit He applies the cleansing power of the Word of God that she might be morally fitted for this intimate place of association with Him in all His glory and dominion.

In the future, He will manifest His love for the Church by presenting her to Himself. Then she will be a glorified Church without spot or wrinkle, and she shall be forever with Him as her beloved Bridegroom. As another has said, "He is the One who can present it to Himself as being the author of its existence, of its beauty, and of the perfection in which it must appear in heaven to be worthy of such a Bridegroom and of the glory that is there."

Such is the blessed portion of the Church as the bride of Christ. The love which every member of that bride should be enjoying now in this world's night of darkness

is the same love that we shall enjoy in that unsullied and eternal brightness. Oh, let our hearts rest in His precious love!

Our Response - Love and Faithfulness

As we enjoy His love as His bride, our heart's affections should go out in longing desire for our Bridegroom. During His absence, we will want to live for Him in devoted faithfulness in the scene of His rejection. Remember the words of Paul to the Corinthians, realizing that they are to every believer: "I have espoused (betrothed or engaged) you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2 KJV).

As Christians we are engaged to Jesus Christ and are to be faithful and true to Him. We are to keep ourselves as a chaste virgin, unspotted from the world that crucified Him. We must not give our love and affections to the world system of the enemy of our Beloved One, but bestow all our love and friendship upon Him. We will want to render faithful service to Him, living in joyful expectation of His coming for us. All this is a responsibility which flows from this most intimate relationship with Christ.

Our Response - Subjection

Ephesians 5 further reminds us that this blessed relationship involves the thoughts of headship and subjection as seen in the marriage union: "Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the Savior of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing" (Eph. 5:23-24).

This subjection to Christ is another most important responsibility resulting from this blessed privilege of being the bride of Christ. It means that we are to obey the instructions He has given us in His Word, not doing our own will or following our own wishes. We are not to do as we think best with regard to ourselves personally or to the Church collectively.

Rather we must search the Scriptures for the mind of Christ and act upon them in subjection to Him as our Head. From this it follows that the Church is never to teach or set up its own rules, doctrines, etc. Its place is to be subject to all the rules, principles, teachings, and doctrines which Christ has set forth in His Word. The Lord teaches us these things through the preaching of gifted men whom He has given to the Church. As they present His Word in the power of the Spirit, the Church's place is to be subject to

Christ's Word.

Had the Church not forgotten this and lost sight of her high calling as the bride of Christ, how different things would be today. There would not be all the conflicting denominations and groups with their different procedures, varying doctrines, etc. For if all would be in subjection to Christ, oneness of mind (His mind) and His path for His Church would be found in His Word. The Spirit would teach all of us the same things and each believer would be found walking obediently to that one path of His will. Then all would be together in the blessed unity of the Spirit as the subject bride of Christ. How blessed this would be and what a testimony the Church would then be for Christ in the world. So it was in the beginning of the Church's history and so it would be now if all would be subject to Christ as Head and really know Him as their Bridegroom. The reason then for all the divisions and confusion among God's people is that the Church has not been completely subject to Christ. Man's will has been at work, hence the ruin about us.

But though the Church has collectively failed in subjection, it still becomes each individual believer to be in subjection to Christ's will and Word. The Lord's closing words to each of the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 is, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." May each reader hear and obey and walk in subjection to Him and in separation from all that is not according to His Word.

The Church's Hope and Destiny

The very nature of the relationship between bride and groom implies that the Church's hope and culminating desire is her marriage union with Christ and being forever with Him. Likewise, Christ's longing desire for His bride is to have her with Him as touchingly expressed in His high-priestly prayer to the Father in John 17:24: "Father, I will that they , also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory."

The Church is heavenly in origin -born from above and united to Christ, her Head in glory. She should be heavenly in character down here for her "life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3), and her destiny is to be married to Him in heaven, forever sharing His glory. All the promises to the Church are heavenly in contrast to the earthly promises given to Israel.

Therefore the thought often expressed that the Church's goal and ultimate hope is to improve and convert the world to Christ is a mistaken expectation and an unscriptural hope. The Church's mission is certainly to represent and manifest Christ in this world and to proclaim the Gospel to the lost. But she is never given the hope that she will convert the world. On the contrary, she is taught that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse" (2 Tim. 3:13), and that God will need to intervene in judgment to end all man's wickedness. The Church's hope and destiny then is to be raptured to heaven as 1

Thessalonians 4:13-17 tells us.

The book of Revelation gives us more of the future destiny of the Church in her union and association with Christ.

• In chapters 4 and 5 she is seen as part of the redeemed and worshipping company, represented by the 24 elders. During the time when God's judgments will be poured out on apostate Christendom and this wicked world (as prophesied in chapters 6 through 19) the true Church will be safe in glory with her beloved Savior.

• Chapter 19 describes the marriage of the Lamb, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." Then He comes to earth with His bride in judgment upon the living nations and reigns with her over the whole earth (Rev. 19:11-20:6).

• Revelation 21:9-27 minutely describes the bride, the Lamb's wife, in all her glory as "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God." Then she will be the heavenly metropolis of the earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

• Revelation 21:1-8 describes the eternal state after the 1000 year reign of Christ has expired and the first heaven and earth have passed away. Then there will be a new heaven and a new earth: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, pre- pared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people."

What a glorious destiny awaits the "Church of the living God." May it enrapture our hearts more and lead us out in increasingly devoted affection for our precious Bridegroom. He has secured all this blessedness for us by laying down His life for us on Calvary.

END NOTE

Condensed from The Church of the Living God, Believers Bookshelf, Sunbury, PA, USA.

From Grace & Truth Magazine, Danville, IL USA, February 1997. Used by permission.

“Daddy’s Home!”

By Jack Palmer

 Daddy's Home!

NOW that our "nest" is empty, and we are enjoying being grandparents to the next generation, I often find myself reflecting on the days when all of our children were still at home. How I used to love it I when I would come home late in the afternoon and hear the children exclaim, "Daddy's home!" They were glad I was home and so was I, especially on an evening when I was home to stay. After supper it would be, "Hey,' Dad, can you play games with us?" or "Let's play football." There's something special about the family unit being all together at the close of the day.

Proverbs 17:6 says, "The glory of children is their father." Every boy and girl needs a daddy to glory in, to be proud of, to look up to, to brag on to their friends. They need a dad who will stand for what he believes is right - even if they don't like it at times – and who can be counted on when they really need him. They need a father who really loves their mother and proves it by the quality way he treats her. That's security! God gave children fathers because He knows how much they need one. After all, He is our Heavenly Father, and who would know more about it than He does?

PROOF

The greatest proof any child can ever see of genuine Christianity at work should be in the life of his or her very own dad. All the sermons in the world cannot equal the impact of one godly father's example. Children today are not "buying into" Christianity the way they used to. They have seen too many bad examples of it. They must be convinced by living proof. And no one is in a better position to do that than fathers.

But something sad is happening to the "glory of children" these days. Many fathers, Christian and non-Christian alike, feel betrayed and rejected. Others are so enslaved to career pursuits and job responsibilities that they no longer have time to be the "glory of children" in their homes. So children feel neglected. Then there are some who live such self-centered lives with their hobbies, sports, and circle of friends that they have become indifferent to their children and have completely lost touch with them. No wonder the family feels unimportant!

Dad, no one in this world needs you more than your wife and children do. They need your presence, your interest, your time, your wisdom, your touch, your love. They really need you! When my oldest brother was on his death-bed, his last words to my Dad were, "Dad, you have given me everything I have ever wanted, but yourself." Dad was crushed by those words. He was not a bad man, just a very busy man in the great ministry God had given him. When he performed the wedding ceremony for my wife and me, his simple, yet profound counsel was, "Don't make your father's mistake. Don't let anyone or anything ever come between you and your family, not even your ministry." That was the best advice he ever gave me.

EXAMPLE

A great example of a godly father in Scripture was Abraham. He was a very old man when God brought Isaac, the child of promise, into his life. Part of his story is in Genesis 22:1-12. Abraham dearly loved his son and was very devoted to him. Notice these outstanding qualities of this father:

1. He listened to God (v. 1). Every family needs a father who listens to God. Are you the kind of father who listens attentively when God speaks?

2. He obeyed God (v. 3). What God told him to do, he did. Even though it was going to be hard, Abraham obeyed. Dad, are you obedient to God? Your obedient response to God will be the best example for your children.

3. He worshiped God (v. 5). True worship is giving back to God what is rightfully His. Abraham was willing to do that even if it meant giving his precious boy back to God. Dad, are you teaching your family what it means to worship the Lord by your willingness to give back what is rightfully His? Your example will speak much louder than your words.

4. He trusted God (vv. 5-8). It takes a dad who is really trusting God to lead his family in these troubled times. A man of great faith will be the best kind of father.

5. He listened to his son (vv. 7-8). When God spoke, Abraham listened. And when Isaac spoke, he also listened. Children today are desperate for God (fathers who will take child time to listen to them. Dad, when you give your undivided attention to your children, you are letting them know their personal value to you. When you don't, what are you telling them? One young boy was asked how to spell "love." After thinking a moment he replied, "T-I-M-E." And Dad, that is how your children spell "love" too.

6. He feared God (v. 12). To fear God is to know that you are accountable to God for everything, and someday you will stand before Him to give answers. When a father fears God, it will be very obvious by the way he treats his family. Does the "fear of the Lord" motivate you in the way you assume your responsibility for your family?

7. He pleased God (v. 12). God was happy with Abraham's performance. He commended and rewarded him. And when a father is pleasing the Lord, the blessing of God will be upon him and his family.

CHALLENGE

Now, Dad, God is really counting on you to be the "glory of your children" - to love them, to lead them gave spiritually, to read God's Word and pray with them, to lovingly discipline them, and to train them to be godly kids.

God wants to bless your family. But so much depends on you. Many families these days are hurting badly because the fathers are failing. You may be saying, "What can I do?” You can be the man God wants you to be, and give your family what they want most -yourself! May the happiest words you hear each day be "Daddy's home!” That will tell you something about how important you are to your family.

SUGGESTION

Here is a parting suggestion: Take the list of characteristics of Abraham and use them as a checklist of your own performance as a father. A regular review could be very motivating. God will bless you and your family, as you seek to honor Him by your fatherhood.

From Grace & Truth Magazine, Danville, IL USA, June, 2002. Used by permission. Website: http://www.gtpress.org/

7 Practical Steps To A Stable Marriage - What Couples Need To Know

By Vitus Ejiogu 

Today's marriages are far from what God that they should be. So many people swear "I Do" on daily basis without first knowing that commitment and trust are part of the ingredients for a healthy marriage. Those who are into marriage already are settling their matters in the wrong ways. Our courts today are filled with divorce suits and counter suits. Knowing the ways to weather the storms of your marriage can save you the stress of fighting a useless battle with your spouse. In weathering the storms of marriage, there are steps people are expected to follow which may include the following:

Communication. When couples approach challenges with open communication when there are issues that are really troubling them, they are sure to get positive results. Talk with each other in a relaxed setting, sharing each other's concerns, fears and hopes without criticizing or judging helps to build a healthy relationship.
Affection. Making it a point to tell each other "I love you" especially when you are in the middle of something awful, helps to calm a tensed nerve. Awful periods are the worst times to assume that your mate knows how you feel. It's during the tough times that your partner needs the reassurance of your love even more.

Positive Mindset. Cultivating a positive and thankful mindset is one of the best ways to appreciate your spouse's good qualities. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, that no matter what the situation, there's always something to be thankful for. When you have a positive focus about your relationship with your spouse rather than dwelling on his or her shortcomings, things will be better for you.

Plan. I have heard it a number of times that "he who does not plan, plans to fail". When as a couple, you carve out time in your schedule, several times a week; to be alone and getaway from whatever is causing you stress, you will succeed with time in keeping a healthy relationship. I have couples who enjoy taking a walk together, going out to dinner, and having a picnic at the park. This does not just happen, but comes as a result of proper planning. If you do not understand your mate, it will be impossible to know when he or she is free to enjoy such a good time as that. A man complained to me the other day that he cannot possibly make his wife happy, and it was becoming very impossible for him to satisfy her. He told me that when he got up one day to have a quiet breakfast in bed with his wife before leaving for the office, that he got the shock of his life because his wife did not honour the invitation. One thing with people is that when they learn a new thing, they will be so eager to see it work out for them as a rule. If your family has not been following a method for a long time, introducing it will take a gradual process - nothing just happens so easily. Marriage requires planning.
Prayer. The Bible tells us that the family that prays together stays together. Staying together in prayer helps you to bring the things that cause you stress before God. It requires asking Him to help you discern what to do to ease the stress in your lives and to help you stay committed to your marriage. When you pray together, you let God into your family needs.

Counsel. Seeking counsel as a couple also helps you have the professional advice you may need to stay through to accomplishment (Proverbs 13:20). Depending on the problem, help might come from your pastor, a professional marriage and family counselor, or a financial adviser. As soon as problems start coming into your marital life, it is advisable to go for counseling, rather than wait until they become breaking points.

Watch. In marriage, both the man and the woman are posted as a "watchman". Their duty is to make sure that no stranger takes advantage of the other person's ignorance to plunder the home. The duty of the couples as "watchmen" in the home-front helps them to see challenges as opportunities to strengthen their marriage.

Proper understanding of certain situations (rough spots) in your marriage can actually help in bringing the two of you closer. When you take time to watch over your marriage, you will discover that we are certainly living in a stressful world and that our lives are full of challenges. At this time, what is important is that you learn to support each other during the tough times, rather than allow life's difficulties to pull you apart!

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or: 234 80 8181 829.
Websites: http://businessunit.blogspot.com, http://azepanig.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitus_Ejiogu

 

Why Women Won't Make It To Heaven - A Wrong Perception of Womanhood

By Vitus Ejiogu 

Recently I stumbled into a collection of stories by Dul Johnson, a film scriptwriter and director with many screen credits. The book, though outrageously funny and very provocative in context, contains finely crafted short stories that provoke its readers' interest. As I went through its pages line after line, I discovered some amazing things that underlie the author's choice of the topic. The grouse of the author is that women take so much time in dressing themselves up, and as a result, may dress themselves up to hell!

It should be noted that women all over the world are known with high dressings, especially during occasions. In most cases, they put up unnecessary delays that keep the men waiting. Apart from the ugly side of their actions which is delay, I have come to appreciate women for who they are. I have severally been saved from dangers as a result of a woman's delay. There are so many costly mistakes I could have made in life if not that a woman came in-between with an "unnecessary" delay. Women have a way of communicating with the future and bring back results to the present.

Men are always quick and in a hurry to jump to serious issues. Women are truly the direct opposite. They are careful, considerate and humane. God proved to us that He truly understands life more than we do. Of course, He is the Creator and Maker of all things. He knows that combining both man and woman, keeps the world going right. You can imagine bringing together two distinct personalities and blending them to become "one flesh". This is why the home front remains a target for Satan, who always struggles to mock God, yet without success.

The Bible tells us that the person who stays alone has a greater trouble because when he falls, there would be none to help him up. Marriage is what completes a man. It brings balance in a man's life and as a result, every woman's action in the home stands to be appreciated. There is a niche for the woman to fulfill. When we begin to enumerate the troubles women have saved men from by simply being themselves as wives, we would not truly see their actions as being unnecessary.

It is obvious that women like looking good, it is also like that with the men. Everybody likes looking good, because it is the way you dress that people address you. Even though women take so much time to dress themselves up, there is no point raising an alarm. God Himself took so much time in making the first woman (Eve) before presenting her to Adam as wife. You can imagine how Adam felt as he sighted the woman. When I took time to study certain things about women, I concluded that their delays in dressing themselves up may not truly hand to them an express ticket to hell. I understand that being spotless has nothing to do with physical beauty, yet what happens if we turn to behold women in their unnatural ways?

Women who dress modestly are actually sending a good message. When a woman takes time to dress, God is honoured, but when men hurry their wives up in dressing, they end up in the streets naked. Because everyone today is in a hurry, almost everything has turned awry. Our streets today are inundated with naked and shabbily dressed women. Reason? They were not allowed to take their time! And because when abomination stays with people for too long, it becomes a tradition, today's society has copied so many things that came as a result of other people's mistakes.

Notwithstanding, God is always interested in the heart, not in physical appearances. Most people will not actually make it to heaven when mundane things take the place of spiritual matters in their lives. That does not wish way the woman's natural life. It is incorrect and totally unacceptable when people fail to applaud the important roles women play in society, in their works of art. We should not see them as people who always confused in matters of choice - what to eat, wear, or look like. It is obvious that women will actually make it to heaven before some men who see them today as unfit. Only time will tell!

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com
or, 234 802 8181 829. Website: http://businessunit.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitus_Ejiogu

 

10 Romantic Gestures to Show Her You Love Her

By Vitus Ejiogu 

One thing that definitely pollutes the act of marriage is adultery. T is lying with another man's wife (Leviticus 20:10). If either the man or the woman is married and has sexual intercourse with anyone other than his or her spouse, he has committed adultery and has opened up for God's judgment.

Men normally fall victims of this the very moment their attention shifts from their wives to the other woman next door. It should be noted that adultery is a demonic doorway against most families today. When you are married, there is a hedge of protection round about you, which is broken when you commit adultery, and anything negative can happen as a result (Ecclesiastes 10:8). To stay close and true to your wife all through your life, here are ten romantic gestures that can make her feel your love without doubt.

1. Understanding - Understanding your wife is more romantic than admiration. Even though women expect their husbands to admire them all the time, yet a misunderstood wife has no time for frivolities. Taking time to admire one's wife helps to save men from the danger of temptation, but when your wife discovers that you are the understanding type, she believes truly that she has a husband in you.

2. Enticement - Men always like playing the role of a tempter to their wives. Before now, it was the woman that actually flirted, but in marriage men tend to outsmart them in the game of persuasion. Women are always won over by men since they are very easy to be convinced. Men always persuade their wives into agreeing to terms with them and most women however are always at home with this gesture.

3. Cleanliness - Women love to be clean and for you to constantly be in your wife's good book, be clean. Women understand that being clean is synonymous with good health, and so believes their husbands' claims of love or respect them more when they keep themselves clean and tidy.

4. Gifts - Occasional gifts to your wife is a good step to assuring her of your love and faithfulness, even though some husbands use gifts often as a cover-up to their waywardness.

5. Kitchen attendance - Some men's kitchen attendance is almost zero because they do not bother at all about that. There are also those who are good cooks, but those who detest the kitchen environment are truly taking a chance. Men who cook well are the delights of their wives. If time permits, try to surprise your wife by showing her how well you can cook, even if it's once in a while.

6. Laundry - Some men are good at laundry works at home. Sharing responsibilities at home helps you as a husband to always look inward. Inward lookers discover treasures afresh in the home. When you share your time together with your wife, helping her to tidy up your home, you will definitely be a winner at the home-front.

7. The Fear of God - Women love men who openly show their respect for God. They feel very comfortable with men who are God-fearing. God-fearing husbands are highly respected at home and outside the home. When you believe and serve God as you ought to, your wife will love and trust you.

8. Integrity - as a married man, there are certain stimuli that you can do without. Today, the world relies on pornography to stimulate their sexual appetite, but the man who knows himself avoids this and upholds high standard of morality (2 Corinthians 10:5). Your wife loves and trusts you the more when she is the only one that stimulates you. If your marriage is romantic, you will have no business with pornography.

9. Self-Control - There are men who always lose balance each time they come close with someone of the opposite sex, especially when she is not well garbed. Women love and trust men who exercise self-control in any situation they find themselves.

10. Telling The Truth - Women are staunch believers of almost everything that comes out of a man's mouth. As a man you stand a chance of losing your credibility the moment your lies are discovered by your wife. Truth is a romantic gesture which when you are known with it, keeps your wife very close to you, making it impossible for you to turn your eyes elsewhere.

However, there are so many other gestures that can turn a woman on romantically, but the above ten can be a starting point.

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int'l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or, 234 802 8181 829. Website: http://businessunit.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitus_Ejiogu

 

Tips to Make Him Love You More

By Vitus Ejiogu 

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us three ways by which we may gain His love. He also pointed out some dangers to avoid as we do this. There are obviously many more ways to gain His love than the three things He suggested, yet the three are the very specific ways of gaining His favour. They compel us to serve others more than we serve ourselves. The three ways are giving, praying, and fasting.

When we glorify God and meet the needs of others, it is seen as a wonderful area of kingdom ministry. It is all too easy to look upon giving as a responsibility, instead of a great privilege. In giving, we do not give for fame, or thanks or even gratitude but with a servant's heart.

In the other hand, prayer is not to be seen as a mere devotion but a way God has chosen for us to partner with Him so as to make things happen. God is calling us to serve others in prayer. We can make a difference in the lives of others by going to God on their behalf. In our prayers, it is expected that we spend quality time interceding on behalf of others.

Also fasting is not an option, but is an aspect of our service for God and others. To so many people, fasting seems to be a spiritual discipline that deals with an individual's personal walk with God. To me this is an incomplete statement, because I see fasting as the greatest acts of love and service we can perform for one another. When we pray and fast for someone we are turning up the heat! We are displaying intensity and willingness to pursue God's best for the person we are praying for.

We make God love us more when we look for ways to humble ourselves before Him and others as we pour out our lives in service. God's love is showered upon you when you give, pray and fast in service to others. Today, would you consider taking a step toward greatness in the kingdom by giving away some of what God has given you; praying out souls into God's kingdom, and doing without food so that you can seek God on behalf of others? The Lord is interested in the work you do for others rather than the the ones you do for yourself. For God to love you more, you need to move away from selfish interests and get on with the things that please others.

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com
or, 234 802 8181 829. Website: http://businessunit.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vitus_Ejiogu

 

Beyond "I Do": Doing Marriage God's Way

By Vitus Ejiogu 

I have noticed severally that some people looking for love have most of the times found help in unusual places.
A cousin of mine found his heart throb in an unusual place - at the post office. He had gone to post some letters but found out that his money would not be able to buy postage stamps for all the letters that he had. As he turned to leave in disappointment a lady's voice called him back, and before he could say a word, the correct amount of postage stamps for all the letters were handed over to him. The letters were finally posted.
This kind gesture from an unknown lady made him to wait for the kind-heard lady outside. They later fell in love and marriage bells began to toll. When they walked down the aisle of the Church to take their hands in marriage, there was no inkling of a doomed denouncement. How could that be? The bells that pealed in celebration drowned out any fears of future trouble, as the people rejoiced. It was a union that gladdens the heart. But sad enough, no body, not even the husband will be able to pinpoint exactly the moment when the marriage began to fall apart. Yet even before the couple uttered their marriage vows, the wife clearly had concerns about the upcoming union. The couple danced cheek to cheek at the reception and embraced tenderly between themselves. Even their desperate interest seemed captivating, as if in heaven already, complementary each other. But somewhere along the line the magic departed and the demons moved in. After the first child came, the marriage was clearly in trouble despite strenuous covering from inside.

Has the wine of tour marriage finished or is about to finish? Has it gone sour, ready to be poured out? Jesus was in a wedding that ran out of wine, but His presence restored the hope of the couple to continue with the celebration. The problem that is rocking or about to rock the boat of your marriage today is because the Lord's presence is not felt around you. Your problem is also compounded because you thought that the best place to find love is in another person. That's not true: it's in a Book, the Bible. The presence of Jesus in every home makes all the difference. In the Bible, we read of God's great love for us. He loves us like no one else ever could, and He remains the best companion we will ever have.

To do marriage God's way, let's avoid marriage by sentiments and lust; let's get married according to the will of God!

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com
or, 234 802 8181 829. Website: http://www.palmgates.com

or http://www.firebrandhq.com

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